The Magna Carta versus the Bill of Rights

Making Connections

Examine the documents and text included in this activity.

English nobles passed the Magna Carta in 1215 to limit King John's power. It represented one of England's first steps toward becoming a constitutional monarchy. The next document is a copy of the Magna Carta from 1297 in its original Latin. Following that document are excerpts of the Magna Carta translated into English with questions for you to respond to.

Magna Carta

Excerpts from the Magna Carta (adapted from the National Archives translation):

[14] A freeman is not to be fined for a small offence except in accordance with the manner of the offence, and for a major offence according to its greatness, ...and none of these fines is to be imposed except by the oath of honesty and law-worthy men of the neighbourhood. Earls and barons are not to be fined except by their peers and only in accordance with the manner of their offence.

[19] No constable or bailiff is to take corn or other property from anyone who is not themselves from a village where a castle is built, unless the constable or his bailiff immediately offers money in payment of... If the person whose corn or property are taken is of such a village, then the constable or his bailiff is to pay for the purchase within forty days.

[28] No bailiff is henceforth to put any man on his law or on oath simply by virtue of his spoken word, without reliable witnesses being produced...

[29] No freeman is to be taken or imprisoned or deprived of his free property or of his liberties or free customs, or outlawed or exiled or in any way ruined, nor will we go against such a man or send against him except by lawful judgement of his peers or by the law of the land. To no-one will we sell or deny right or justice.
In the response box that follows, answer the following questions:

In your own words, what are some of the rights that are established by the four clauses in the excerpt?
What kinds of people are protected by these clauses of the Magna Carta? What kinds of people may not be protected?
Who do you think this document is written for? What makes you think that?
In clause 14 it says, "Earls and barons are not to be fined except by their peers and only in accordance with the manner of their offence." What might be the purpose of that clause?